Budget Government tourist bungalow · Gurez Valley
JKTDC Tourist Bungalow and Huts, Dawar
JKTDC's accommodation at Dawar, the main township of Gurez, includes a tourist bungalow with rooms and log huts near the Kishanganga. It is basic but one of the few organised stays in the valley, with views towards Habba Khatoon peak.
Photo: Aniketchoudhary87 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · CommonsIn a valley with very few hotels, the JKTDC property at Dawar offers simple rooms and log huts run by the government tourism corporation. Facilities are modest: beds with warm blankets, attached or shared bathrooms depending on the unit, and limited food service. The location is central for walks around Dawar and trips to Tulail.
Book through the official JKTDC website or offices, and confirm before travelling, because the valley is open only from about late May to November and services start and stop with the season. Carry cash, a torch and warm layers. If it is full, family homestays in Dawar make a good alternative.
Why we use it
- Government stay in a valley with few organised options
- Central location in Dawar near the river
- Views towards Habba Khatoon peak
Best for
Trips that stay here
Sleep here on a trip
Photo: Fulvio Spada from Torino, Italy · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Commons
Saver
Gurez Valley on a budget by shared Sumo
JKSRTC or private bus to Bandipora, shared Sumos, one shared car day
Around the stay
Gurez Valley
Gurez is a high valley on the Kishanganga river at about 2,400 m, 123 km north of Srinagar over the 3,300 m Razdan Pass. Its Shina-speaking villages of log houses sit below the pyramid-shaped Habba Khatoon peak. The pass closes for about six months, so visit June to October and stay at least three nights.
Photo: Zahid samoon · CC BY 3.0 · Commons
Walk Dawar's log-house villages
A slow walk through Dawar and the villages along the Kishanganga shows how Gurez lives: log houses built for long winte…
Photo: Abhirup Paul · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Day drive into the Tulail valley
East of Dawar, the Tulail valley climbs past small villages, fields and broad meadows on a rough road. It is the most r…
Photo: Zahid samoon · CC BY 3.0 · Commons
Evening below Habba Khatoon peak
The pyramid peak above Dawar carries the name of Habba Khatoon, the 16th-century poet-queen of Kashmir. An evening on t…
Questions
About JKTDC Tourist Bungalow and Huts, Dawar
Is the JKTDC stay in Gurez open all year?
No. Gurez is cut off by snow on the Razdan Pass for about six months, so the property operates in season, roughly late May to November. Confirm dates and availability before you travel.
What facilities does JKTDC Dawar have?
Expect simple rooms and huts with warm bedding, and basic food service. Hot water and power can be intermittent. Treat it as a clean, safe base rather than a hotel.
Are there alternatives to JKTDC in Gurez?
Yes, several family homestays and guesthouses in Dawar and nearby villages, and seasonal riverside camps. Homestays include home-cooked meals and are a good way to meet local families.
More in Kashmir
Other places to stay
Photo: McKay Savage · CC BY 2.0 · Commons
Budget
Zostel Srinagar
A backpacker hostel in the Nishat area, a short walk from the eastern shore of Dal Lake, with dorm beds, private r…
Photo: Unknown author · CC0 · Commons
Budget
JKTDC Huts and Cottages, Pahalgam
The Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation runs cottages and huts in Pahalgam, set among pines near the…
Photo: GharWapsi · CC0 · Commons
Mid
Ahdoos Hotel
A long-established city hotel on Residency Road in central Srinagar, best known for its restaurant, one of the val…